Death sparks new EMS policy

Nashville emergency responders will change the way they treat patients after a man was left to die Wednesday because doctors and emergency responders concluded he was unlikely to survive an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Nashville Fire Department placed three paramedics and five firefighters on paid administrative leave hours after the incident but did not release their names.

Emergency responders were called to the 700 block of Tulip Grove Road in Hermitage about 3 a.m. after receiving a report that a 32-year-old man had shot himself in the head, according to a Metro police incident report. His roommate told police the man, identified as Antonio Foster, was breathing but not conscious.

Interim Nashville Fire Department Director Chief Ricky White said paramedics arrived to find the victim "in not very good condition" and followed standard procedure when they discovered he was in traumatic cardiac arrest.

After relaying the man's condition to a doctor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the paramedics were advised not to transport him because he had "injuries not compatible with life," according to police records.

Paramedics left the scene but later returned after the roommate called to report the man appeared to be breathing. He was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center at 5:19 a.m. in grave condition and died later Wednesday.

Followed standards

The paramedics and firefighters on the scene followed national standards adopted by the fire department, said Corey Slovis, NFD medical director.

"Had I foreseen there was any potential that it would not be a perfect policy, I would have changed it," Slovis said. "Good people tried to do their best based on what they thought was the appropriate thing to do."

On Thursday afternoon, the fire department revised its protocols regarding the transport of patients displaying signs of life. The new rules state if a patient is breathing, shows movement or has a pulse, the person will be transported to a hospital.

Slovis said this was the first time he knew of such an incident occurring, and he said it would be the last.

Fire officials plan to interview the paramedics and firefighters involved in the incident as part of an internal investigation.

"Until proven otherwise, I plan to stand by them," White said.

Mark Young, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Nashville Local 140, said he believed the responders had followed orders and did nothing wrong.

In a prepared statement, Vanderbilt officials said they regretted the incident and would review the internal protocol tied to their response.

"We will take all steps necessary to refine and clarify our internal processes involving the transport of critically injured patients to Vanderbilt," said John Howser, VUMC assistant vice chancellor for medical center news and communications.